Economic Development

The Chamber has taken a leading role in economic development and community planning throughout Newport County and Greater Rhode Island. As members, you are eligible for programs and services that directly benefit your business or organization. Your dues support a broad effort to preserve the quality of life and economic vitality of our entire region. Your dues investment is working on behalf of your business and your community. We are your resource for whatever business assistance or information you need.

Responding to an ever-challenging economy, the Newport County Chamber of Commerce has been involved in a number of important economic, community and small business initiatives that have directly enhanced the quality of business and life in Newport County, Rhode Island.

The Chamber helped complete capital improvements to the Aquidneck Corporate Park, with a $100,000 federal in 2008.

The Chamber received a $500,000 Federal grant for Aquidneck Mill Building restoration at International Yacht Restoration School, Newport.

The Chamber created and operated a demonstration Valet Parking Program for downtown Newport during the summer of 2008.

The Chamber hosted a series of workshops on Customer Service Training for the Hospitality Industry in the spring of 2008.

The Chamber is working with the Town of Tiverton in developing and marketing the Tiverton Industrial Park.

The Chamber is part of the State of RI team negotiating the transfer of former navy property in the Melville Section of Portsmouth on behalf of the local marine trades industry.

Community Planning Support

The Chamber secured an $80,000 grant with the aid of Congressman, Patrick Kennedy to create a comprehensive Master Development Plan of the Tiverton Industrial Park in 2010.

The Chamber, Save The Bay and Aquidneck Island Planning Commission are working together to identify practical, affordable and effective wastewater solutions for the whole island.

The Chamber, Aquidneck Island Planning Commission and representatives from the Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth business communities are working together through the Aquidneck Island Energy Alliance to study alternative, renewable energy options. Chamber staff is also participating in Phase II of a feasibility study through the East Bay Energy Consortium.

The Chamber received a $500,000 federal grant in the spring of 2009 to develop a comprehensive plan for a regional wastewater facility for Aquidneck Island.

The Chamber completed a comprehensive study on LNG Tanker Transit Impact on East Bay coastal communities in 2006.

Chamber partially underwrote and co-sponsored public forums on waterfront planning in Newport.

The Chamber contributed $25,000 towards the development of the Central Newport Urban Design Plan.

The Chamber retained planning consultants to assess parking and traffic improvements for downtown Newport in 2009 and 2010.